Kabul: The Taliban has appointed a representative for the Hindu and Sikh communities in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, the Kabul Municipality announced on X (formerly Twitter). The newly-appointed person will serve as a member of the Council of Representatives of the 22 municipality districts of Kabul and will advocate for the rights of Sikhs and Hindus.
The Taliban said that the representative would play a “crucial role” in the process of returning seized properties to the Hindus and Sikhs in the Afghan capital. In August, the Taliban celebrated two years of returning to power after US-led foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan.
Soon after, Sikhs and Hindus – who are minorities in the country – feared the Draconian curbs they had imposed on the communities during their 90s reign. According to an IANS report, during the previous rule of the Taliban, Sikhs and Hindus faced multiple restrictions, including on their appearances, and were also prohibited from observing their religious holidays in public.
The report further said that despite the group assuring the minorities after coming back to power this time that their safety and well-being will be taken care of, many opted to seek a way to their homeland.
The Taliban’s coming back to power has also eroded women’s rights in Afghanistan. Women were banned from universities last December and girls have remained prohibited from school beyond sixth grade since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Afghanistan is the only country in the world with bans on female education.
